Eczema

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Facts about Eczema

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a chronic, recurring and long-term inflammation of the skin.  Although there are many different forms of eczema, the most common form is called atopic dermatitis.  Skin affected with eczema is often dry and cracked since the protective outer layer of the skin is damaged. Thus, it interferes with the natural healing process of the skin.

Eczema can affect people of any age; it usually begins in childhood as it appears within the first 6 months, and can continue through adolescence.  Although some children outgrow their eczema, but 80% will have dry, irritable skin their whole life.  Around the world, eczema affects about
10 -15% of adults and 12 – 25% of all children. 

According to a recent study, eczema affects one in 12 adults:  27% have been teased or bullied because of their condition, 17% have no self-confidence, 21% have had difficulty forming a relationship and 14% feel it has hindered.  People with eczema often have a family history of the condition or a family history of other allergic conditions, such as asthma or hay fever.

Sources:
MedicineNet.com:  http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm
Eczema.org: http://www.eczema.org/NEW2005/Brief%20copy%20to%20accompany%20adult%20case%20studies.pdf
EczemaCanada.ca:  http://eczemacanada.ca/en/what/index.php

Types of Eczema

There are seven types of eczema:

1)       Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It is known as a chronic skin disease characterized by itchy and inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis is believed to be caused by an abnormal function of the body's immune system. The condition tends to come and go, and it depends upon exposures to triggers or causative factors.

2)       Contact eczema, also known as contact dermatitis, is a reaction which includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance to which an individual is sensitized) or with a general irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical.

3)       Seborrheic eczema, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a form of skin inflammation of unknown cause. The signs and symptoms of seborrheic eczema include yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, and occasionally other parts of the body. Seborrheic dermatitis is not necessarily associated with itching. Emotional stress, oily skin, infrequent shampooing, and weather conditions may all increase a person's risk of developing seborrheic eczema.

4)       Nummular eczema, also known as nummular dermatitis, is characterized by coin-shaped patches of irritated skin—most commonly located on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs—that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy. This form of eczema is relatively uncommon and occurs most frequently in elderly men.

5)       Neurodermatitis, also known as lichen simplex chronicus, is a chronic skin inflammation caused by a scratch-itch cycle that begins with a localized itch (such as an insect bite) that becomes intensely irritated when scratched. Women are more commonly affected by neurodermatitis than men, and the condition is most frequent in people aged 20-50. Furthermore, this form of eczema results in scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms.

6)       Stasis dermatitis is a skin irritation on the lower legs, generally related to the circulatory problem known as venous insufficiency, in which the function of the valves within the veins has been compromised. Stasis dermatitis occurs almost exclusively in middle-aged and elderly people, with approximately 6%-7% of the population over age 50 being affected by the condition. Symptoms include itching and/or reddish-brown discoloration of the skin on one or both legs.

7)       Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as dyshidrotic dermatitis, is an irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the feet characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn. The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown. This form of eczema occurs in up to 20% of people with hand eczema and is more common during the spring and summer months and in warmer climates. Males and females are equally affected, and the condition can occur in people of any age.

Sources: 
MedicineNet.com:  http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/page2.htm
SkinCarePhysicians.com: http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/types.html

What are the symptoms of Eczema

Eczema is most commonly caused by dry, reddened skin that itches or burns, although the appearance of eczema is different from person to person and varies according to the specific type of eczema. But here are some symptoms of eczema:

·         Patches of chronically itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on the hands, neck, face, and legs. In children, the inner creases of the knees and elbows are often involved.

·         Skin lesions, patches of redness, scaling, and in dark-skinned people, changes in skin color.

Eczema can sometimes occur as a brief reaction that only leads to symptoms for a few hours or days, but in other cases, the symptoms persist over a longer time and are referred to as chronic dermatitis.

Sources:
MedicineNet.com:  http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm
WebMD.com:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/understanding-eczema-symptoms

What are the causes of Eczema

In today’s medical science, the exact cause of eczema is still unknown.  But it is said that the abnormal function of the immune system is believed to be a factor. 

Doctors do not know the exact cause of eczema, but an abnormal function of the immune system is believed to be a factor. Some forms of eczema can be triggered by substances that come in contact with the skin and causes flare up.  Flare ups are generally caused by changes in temperature and humidity

Other factors to what causes eczema to start are chemical irritants and physical irritants. Chemical irritants may be household cleansers, paint strippers, perfumes, alcohol, pesticides and other stuff. The smell or contact with the fumes of these may trigger eczema.  Physical irritants include scratchy clothes, wool and other abnormalities in the clothes or blankets used.  Furthermore, a person’s allergies to dust, pollen or mold may also be a trigger for eczema.  Lastly, emotional stress can also trigger eczema along with an infection which the person may have at any point in life.

Sources:
MedicineNet.com:  http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm
EczemaCanada.ca: http://eczemacanada.ca/en/what/causes.php

What treatments are available for Eczema?

1)       Antibiotics is used to treat the secondary skin infections that occur when the skin has been broken from scratching or dryness.  However, nausea, diarrhea, and allergic skin rashes are the most common side effects of taking antibiotics.

2)       Antihistamines is prescribed to eczema patients to aid sleep and relieve itching.  However, it appears that histamine does not play a major role in the itching caused by eczema.  Overuse of antihistamines can produce excessive sedation.

3)       Coal tar extracts have been used to treat the inflammation and itch of eczema.  Coal tar treatments have a soothing effect on inflamed skin but it should not be used for acute dermatitis because it may cause stinging and irritation. 

4)       Herbal remedies and alternative treatments.  Evening primrose oil has been used for the treatment of eczema.  Unfortunately, a number of studies have shown overall improvement in patients with eczema, while others have not.  A number of alternative treatments are also made available which include using herbal and dietary supplements, homeopathy, healing touch therapies, etc.  Moreover, it is important to note that these alternative therapies have no data to support many of the claims and are generally not regulated by any governmental agency.

5)       Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light waves for the treatment of eczema.  Ultraviolet light waves found in sunlight have been found to have beneficial effect on certain skin orders.

6)       Topical immunomodulators is a new class of therapy that has recently been introduced to target the origin of the inflammation and itching associated with eczema.  Furthermore, this type of therapy is steroid free and can be applied directly to the skin including body, face and neck.  However, some patients have reported mild to moderate burning sensation on the skin after the ointment is applied.

Sources:
MedicineNet.com:  http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/page3.htm
EczemaCanada.ca:  http://eczemacanada.ca/en/treating/index.php

How to Manage Eczema?

Here are some tips to manage eczema:

·         Don’t scratch, moisturize!

·         Follow a daily skin routine, even if there is no visible eczema

·         Bathe and shower often while keeping the temperate cool or warm, not hot.  And always moisturize after.

·         Keep cool and clam

·         Wear cotton and sleep on cotton

·         Find out what triggers your flare-ups

·         Do a small test before applying medicated creams or ointments to the face or body

·         Follow the doctor’s treatment advice

Source:
EczemaCanada.ca:  http://eczemacanada.ca/en/adult/index.php

HerbaCall Eczema Testimonials

·         Carolyn Smith from Australia said, “I lost 9 kg but best of all after a couple of months my eczema cleared up. I had the kind of eczema where the skin over my knuckles would split and bleed, making my hands painful to work with. The Herbalife products have been a magnificent relief. I have worked out that the main products for this are Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Herbalifeline is helpful too.”

·         Derek Hicks tells HerbaCall, “I suffered from Eczema on the hands and feet which was quite painful especially in the winter months on the hands. The ointments Vaseline and what was prescribed by the doctor only temporarily eased the condition but not the itching. I went on the formula one and the Herbal aloe products. I found the aloe wash and gel very effective and use them every day. My skin does not feel so dry any more and for my hands no more dry cracks, no more itching or discomfort on the feet.”

·         Tracie Gardner thanks Herbalife: “My son, Devan, has severe eczema along with his little brother who has diabetes. They both drink the shakes twice a day - Devan is 3 years old and really struggles with eczema, especially behind his knees, where he often bleeds. After drinking the shakes, he dramatically improved his condition. I really believe the quick and dramatic results to be due to Herbalife - thank you for making my children more healthy!”

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